- A new collaboration with NYCOS showcasing the power of strings and voice, which will include the UK premiere of David Fennessy’s composition Blood
- Opening at Lammermuir Festival before performances in Perth, Glasgow, and London from 16 September – 02 October
Inhale. Exhale.
Every breath resonates and each string sings, in a new performance that brings together Scottish Ensemble and singers from the Chamber Choir of the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCOS).
Bach & Blood will present a programme showcasing the atmosphere and power of strings and voice, emphasising the virtuosic solo violin as performed by Scottish Ensemble’s Artistic Director Jonathan Morton. Musical voices from across the centuries are united by ritual, reflection, and transcendence.
J.S. Bach’s Chaconne, famously described as “the greatest structure for solo violin that exists”, is illuminated by accompanying “Ghost chorales” relating to death and resurrection, that reveal emotional depths beneath the soloist. It is complemented by the ethereal, mystical power of Arvo Pärt’s Greater Antiphons for strings, which unfolds in shimmering stillness with a sense of timeless devotion.
The performance will climax with the UK premiere of Glasgow-based composer David Fennessy’s work Blood. Originally commissioned by the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the piece is based on a short melody written by the 12th century composer and mystic Hildegard of Bingen; Blood expands and draws out the sound until it morphs into something completely new.
A solo violin weaves and flows through haunting vocals from the NYCOS choir, led by their Artistic Director Christopher Bell. Consonants are erased and vowels stretched into an emotional, primal stream of sound. What emerges is a work of profound power, where ancient chants merge with a resonating body of orchestral strings to create a startling new sonic landscape, pulsing with visceral, muscular energy.
Bach & Blood will open with a performance at St Mary’s Church in Whitekirk as part of the 2026 Lammermuir Festival. It will then tour to St John’s Kirk in Perth, and to Glasgow Cathedral as part of the 2026 Glasgow Cathedral Festival programme.
Finally, in October, the performance will visit London’s Milton Court, as part of Scottish Ensemble’s Company in Residence season with The Barbican.
Listings Information
Wednesday 16 September, 3pm
St Mary’s Church, Whitekirk
Part of the 2026 Lammermuir Festival
Tickets: From £18, half-price tickets for under-25s
Thursday 17 September, 7pm
St John’s Kirk, Perth
Tickets: From £6, free for under-26s
Friday 18 September, 7pm
Glasgow Cathedral
Part of the 2026 Glasgow Cathedral Festival
Tickets: From £7 – Limited number of £1 tickets available for local residents.
Friday 02 October, 7.30pm
Milton Court, London
Part of Scottish Ensemble’s Company in Residence season with The Barbican
Tickets: From £24
Ticket booking at scottishensemble.co.uk